British High Commission throws out MP’s request for withdrawal of visa fraud allegation

The British High Commission has rejected a request by the former Asunafo South Member of Parliament, George Boakye, for a withdrawal of visa fraud allegations against him.

Lawyers for the High Commission insist Mr Boakye is actually guilty of the allegations, throwing out the MP’s demand.

Lawyers for the MP had written to the High Commission demanding a retraction of the claim which was contained in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Ocquaye.

The letter from the British High Commission to the Speaker dated January 31, 2017 listed MP for Bia East Richard Acheampong, MP for Asutifi North Joseph Benhazin Dahah, MP for Ahafo Ano South West Johnson Kwaku Adu, and former MP for Asunafo South George Boakye as persons who had previously engaged in visa fraud.

George Boakye in a letter to the commission on April 27, demanded a retraction of the claim.

But the commissioner Jon Benjamin in a letter dated May 4 justified the allegation insisting Mr. Boakye had admitted his daughter who he sponsored to visit the UK overstayed her visa.

Lawyers for Mr. Boakye in a counter letter four days later wrote: “we will like you to tell us where in the application of my client he acted fraudulently or which action of his constituted the fraud. You have imputed criminality on my client which is a serious matter and can damage his fortunes as a politician and aspiring MP.”

The High Commissioner did not respond to this directly but rather instructed the High Commission’s lawyers, A&A Law Consult, to write to Mr. Boakye last Friday, May 19.

The lawyers again justified the claim of fraud saying: “The British High Commissioner is of the opinion that your client’s failure to report for nearly four years the continued illegal residence in the United Kingdom of your daughter, a person whose visit he had sponsored, does at the very least raise very serious questions.”

However, Lawyer for Mr. Boakye, Kwabena Asare Atuah, says his client is keen on clearing his name in the matter.

Meanwhile, Joy News understands no progress has been made as far as investigations by Parliament into the issue are concerned.

The Parliamentary Service Board was expected to meet over the issue last month but that did not happen.

Further action is expected when the house resumes sitting on May 30, 2017.